Metacognitive Awareness of Reading Strategies Inventory & Test Taking Strategies

Listed below are statements about what people do when they read material such as magazines, books or newspapers, and when taking a test.

Five numbers follow each sentence (1, 2, 3, 4, 5), and each number means the following:
- 1 means "I never or almost never do this."
- 2 means "I do this only occasionally."
- 3 means " I sometimes do this" (about 50% of the time)
- 4 means "I usually do this"
- 5 means "I always or almost always do this"


After reading each statement circle the number (1, 2, 3, 4 or 5) that applies to you using the scale provided. Please note that there are no right or worng answers to the statement in this inventory.

Thank you for participating in this survey.

Adapted from: Mokhatari and Reichard (2002)
Name: 


A red asterisk (*) indicates required questions.

  1. I have a purpose in mind when I read*
    1 2 3 4 5


  1. I take notes while reading to help me understand what I read.*
    1 2 3 4 5


  1. I think about what I know to help me understand what I read.*
    1 2 3 4 5


  1. I preview the text to see what it's about before reading it.*
    1 2 3 4 5


  1. When text becomes difficult, I read aloud to help me understand what I read.*
    1 2 3 4 5


  1. I summarize what I read to reflect on important information in the text.*
    1 2 3 4 5


  1. I think about whether the content of the text fits my reading purpose.*
    1 2 3 4 5


  1. I read slowly but carefully to be sure I understand what I'm reading.*
    1 2 3 4 5


  1. I discuss what I read with others to check my understanding*
    1 2 3 4 5


  1. I skim the text first by noting characteristics like length and organisation.*
    1 2 3 4 5


  1. I try to get back on track when I lose concentration.*
    1 2 3 4 5


  1. I underline or circle information in the text to help me remember it.*
    1 2 3 4 5


  1. I adjust my reading speed according to what I'm reading.*
    1 2 3 4 5


  1. I decide what to read closely and what to ignore.*
    1 2 3 4 5


  1. I use reference materials such as dictionaries to help me understand what I read.*
    1 2 3 4 5


  1. When text becomes difficult I pay closer attention to what I'm reading.*
    1 2 3 4 5


  1. I use tables, figures, and pictures in text to increase my understanding.*
    1 2 3 4 5


  1. I stop from time to time to think about what I'm reading.*
    1 2 3 4 5


  1. I use context clues to help me better understanding what I'm reading.*
    1 2 3 4 5


  1. I paraphrase (restate ideas in my own words) to better understand what I read.*
    1 2 3 4 5


  1. I try to picture or visualise information to help remember what I read.*
    1 2 3 4 5


  1. I use typographical aids like boldface and italics to identify key information.*
    1 2 3 4 5


  1. I critically analyse and evaluate the information presented in the text.*
    1 2 3 4 5


  1. I go back and forth in the text to find relationships among ideas in it.*
    1 2 3 4 5


  1. I check my understanding when I come across conflicting information.*
    1 2 3 4 5


  1. I try to guess what the material is about when I read.*
    1 2 3 4 5


  1. When text becomes difficult, I re-read to increase my understanding.*
    1 2 3 4 5


  1. I ask myself questions I like to have answered in the text.*
    1 2 3 4 5


  1. I check to see if my guesses about the text are right or wrong.*
    1 2 3 4 5


  1. I try to guess the meaning of unknown words or phrases.*
    1 2 3 4 5


  1. I read the questions and options before reading the text.*
    1 2 3 4 5


  1. I select a response before it is stated in the text*
    1 2 3 4 5


  1. I select an answer not because it was thought to be correct, but because the others did not seem reasonable, seemed similar or were not understandable*
    1 2 3 4 5


  1. I select a response based on understanding the passage read.*
    1 2 3 4 5


  1. I read the questions and options after reading the passage.*
    1 2 3 4 5


  1. I change an answer after having marked one.*
    1 2 3 4 5


  1. I made a mark to expresses uncertainty at correctness of an answer chosen.*
    1 2 3 4 5


  1. I skip a question and returns to it later.*
    1 2 3 4 5





Carol Lafferty
Doha